14 April 2011

NFBPA email use Chatham County

Email correspondence from and to vjohnson@chathamcounty.org for emails since 2006, containing the following string; National Forum of BLACK Public Administrator (NFBPA)should be investigated and repayment of Govt time should be initiated by Van Johnson to Chatham County.

Van Johnson, Savannah city council member and employee of Chatham county is listed at the National Forum of BLACK Public Administrator (NFBPA) site under nationwide council of presidents (COP) for Savannah METRO. In the contact information, Johnson lists his Chatham county public service email address that is supposed to be used for Chatham county business as a way to contact him concerning NFBPA business.

The big question is this: WHY is this email address being used in this way? Why should the taxpayers pay for Johnson to receive emails from NFBPA while working on Chatham county time?

Johnson also gives a U.S.Postal address for City Council, as a way for NFBPA members to contact him concerning NFBPA business, and this is on the City's dime as well.

This from http://www.nfbpa.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3314

GEORGIA: “SAVANNAH METRO”

The Hon. Van R. Johnson, II, SPHR
Vice Chair
Savannah City Council
PO Box 8881
Savannah, GA 31412
(912) 652-7964
FAX (912) 652-7973
vrjohnsonii@aol.com
vjohnson@chathamcounty.org
www.nfbpa-savannah.org




------------------------------------------------------

National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA)
Mission Statement
The mission of the NFBPA is embodied in the organization's commitment to strengthen the position of Blacks within the field of public administration;

to increase the number of Blacks appointed to executive positions in public service organizations;

and, to groom and prepare younger, aspiring administrators for senior public management posts in the years ahead.

The NFBPA mission is realized through the pursuit of the following important goals:

To serve the magnet organization for linking public, private and academic institutions into an effective network to support interdisciplinary communications, management innovation and professional development among Blacks choosing public service careers.

To provide intensive and rigorous training in critical management areas in response to the specialized needs of Black public sector professionals.

To identify and groom younger, emerging Black administrators and provide relevant exposure to the challenges and rewards of public service careers.

To conduct research on selected social and economic issues endemic to Blacks.

To sponsor and conduct national and regional forums that enable the discussion of timely issues and topical concerns of the Black community.

To develop and maintain a national information bank on the nation's growing Black public administrative leadership.

To promote, strengthen and expand the roles of Blacks in all aspects of public administration.

28 March 2011

NFBPA Savannah Dates/ Events / Timeline

update Oct 9, 2012 *

FORUM 2007,  Phoenix, AZ  - April 22 - 25, 2007  




FORUM 2009, Oakland, California - April 25- 29th 2009

2009 Leadership Awards Banquet
Washington D.C, Thursday, July 16, 2009

2009 SAVANNAH Banquet - 2nd Annual
Thursday, August 20, 2009



FORUM 2010, Greensboro, North Carolina - April 24 - 28, 2010 (video)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WPHUhakO0U&feature=related

2010 Leadership Awards Banquet
Washington D.C., Thursday, July 15, 2010

2010 - SAVANNAH Corporate Appreciation Luncheon
Friday, August 13, 2010       Hilton Savannah DeSoto
             Van Johnson with Franzelle Pertilla*
http://coastalsenior.savannahnow.com/exchange/2010-08-14/administrators-recognize-business-partners


2010 FALL LEADERSHIP MEETING
OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
October 15-16, 2010
The Fairmont San Jose Hotel
San Jose, CA

2010 December 8, Executive Leadership Institute (ELI)
Atlanta Marriott Marquis Hotel - Atlanta, GA
Rare Rest. & Tapas Bar, Midtown ATL, GA
191 Club, ATL, GA

2011 - Jan 19 - 22 WINTER LEADERSHIP
San Antonio, TX

FORUM 2011
Chicago, IL

2011 Leadership Awards Banquet
Washington, DC

LEADERSHIP SUMMIT 2011
Conference,  October 13 - 14, 2011
Omni Austion Hotel Southpark
4140 Governor's Row
Austin, TX 78744


LEADERSHIP SUMMIT 2012
January 20-21, 2012
Double Tree Hotel and Executive Meeting Center
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

FORUM 2012
April 21 - 24, 2012
Virgina Beach, VA
Detroit Former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick guest speaker

2012 Leadership Awards Banquet , July 12, 2012
Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center
Washington, D.C.


2012 - September 26, Savannah, Georgia
Van R. Johnson, II - President
Savannah-Metro Chapter of NFBPA,  Awards Scholarships

http://savannahherald.net/savannah-metropolitan-chapter-of-nfbpa-awards-scholarships-p3924-1.htm
 
 2012 - October 4 - 6
NFBPA Conference
Innisbrook Golf & Spa Resort, Palm Harbor, Florida
October 4th - 6th, 2012 

FORUM 2013
April 20 - 23, 2013
Atlanta Marriott Marquis Hotel
Atlanta, GA


FORUM 2014
April 12 - 15, 2014
San Antonio, TX

27 March 2011

Small-Toney NFBPA National Level

Remember, Rochelle Small-Toney belongs to the National Forum for Black Public Administrators. She is not just active in this organization at the local (Savannah) level, but was elected to the national board of directors (her photo is at this bod page) of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators in April 2010.

What this means is, RST will need to travel to forums and other places to speak to people to PROMOTE BLACKS ONLY, at the National (around the USA) level. For instance the National Forum happens soon, around April 16th 2011 in Chicago, Small-Toney is likely to attend since she sits on the NATIONAL Board of directors.

The total cost of such a trip could cost $6,000 at least.

Taxpayers should not be paying for Rochelle Small-Toney's personal memberships/forum attendence cost/ airfare/ lodging/ food for NFBPA. Anyone can join these forums and banquets , as long as they agree to promote BLACKS only, over all others.

26 March 2011

NFBPA Paid for by City, debate

Quote from City Council Debate on Race Based memberships http://www2.wsav.com/news/2011/mar/24/savannah-city-council-debates-membership-dues-ar-1624735/
----- “ The reality is that minorities and women are still very under represented in state and local government ” points out Alderman Van Johnson who is a member of one of the organizations in question. ------------

 In Savannah and Chatham county of course minorities are very seriously misrepresented, with one exception -- the black minority.

10 March 2011

City: Edna Jackson just another NFBPA type

From this link:
http://www.nlc.org/PRESSROOM/PRESSRELEASEITEMS/CityDiversityAwards2010.aspx

Edna Branch Jackson, Mayor Pro Tem, Savannah, Ga. - Judge of event.

For more information on the City Cultural Diversity Awards, visit NBC-LEO’s website at www.nbc-leo.org.

The National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials was established in 1970. A constituency group of the National League of Cities, NBC-LEO advocates for the interests of African-American local elected officials. Its mission is to provide African-American municipal officials and their colleagues with forums to share ideas, discussion groups to develop strategies for improving municipal governance, debates on policy issues and programs that contribute to the success of America’s cities and towns.

The National League of Cities is the nation’s oldest and largest organization devoted to strengthening and promoting cities as centers of opportunity, leadership and governance. NLC is a resource and advocate for 19,000 cities, towns and villages, representing more than 218 million Americans.

09 March 2011

Small-Toney and Bravo Music Co, Inc

Rochelle Small-Toney, city of Savannah's acting Manager, sits on the board of Bravo Music Co., Inc. http://www.bravomusiccompany.com

Bravo stands for:
Black youth Reaching to Achieve in Vocal and Orchestral music.

Anyone can join, however they must agree to promote BLACK YOUTH.

04 March 2011

the forgotten art of writing, Letters

One reaction from writing letters. In reference to NFBPA member Carol Brokaw.


Thank you for reaching out to us. These expenses (NFBPA) should most certainly be paid for out of personal funds. The fact remains that these individuals are only out to serve themselves. In Plainfield, NJ, we have a huge problem with our Municipal Utilities Authority (MUA). Almost everything they do is unchecked and permitted to happen because they are appointed by their cronies. We will continue to fight this injustice and bring it to the attention of our Governor. There have been some arrests lately at other MUA's so we do have hope these individuals will be brought to justice. In the year that you posted that information about Carol Brokaw, she went on 6+ trips. At the time, she was also getting $140 per day for "travel expenses" even though everything was pre-paid with public funds. If there is anything we can do to assist you in your efforts, please let us know. Thanks and keep the faith.

Philip
DumpPMUA.com

27 February 2011

NFBPA City EE's

 update Oct 17, 2012

NFBPA (see mission below) members who work or have worked, for the city of Savannah. To view records of payment see this link here



Carmelia Lowman
City of Savannah, coordinator health and wellness

Carliss Bates
City of Savannah, public information
City of Savannah, coordinator youth council, youth futures authority

Melissa Carter
City of Savannah, administrator property maintenance

Stephanie Cutter
City of Savannah, acting city manager  (Sep 2012 - present) 
City of Savannah, assistant manager     (Dec 2011 - Sep 2012)
City of Savannah, acting assistant city manager (May 2010 - Dec 2011)
City of Savannah, chief sanitation bureau (2002)
City of Savannah, Director residential refuse 
City of Savannah, Coordinator 
City of Savannah, Senior Budget Analyst
City of Savannah, budget analyst (1989)


Kathey Porter
City of Savannah, coordinator Economic Development, Minority/Women Business Enterprises (MWBE)

MarRonde' A. Lumpkin-Lotson
City of Savannah, director economic development ( Jan 2006 - present )

Carolyn H. Bell
Savannah City Council, Alderman At Large 
City of Savannah, director interim management and financial services
City of Savannah, director central service

Sean Brandon
City of Savannah, Management Srvs Bureau Chief  (Jun 2012 - present )
City of Savannah, director parking & mobility (Jun 2009 - Jun 2012)
City of Savannah, Asst to City Manager (Jun 07 - Apr 2009 )

Ciarra Callis
City of Savannah, intern department economic development
NFBPA scholarship recipient

Earline W. Davis
City of Savannah, director housing authority

Luke Gardiner
City of Savannah, Program Administrator 
City of Savannah, director property maintenance
City of Savannah, interim director property maintenance
City of Savannah, administrator construction services dept of housing
City of Savannah, housing rehab dept

Veleeta McDonald
City of Savannah, director mobility & parking (Jul 2012 - present )
City of Savannah, asst director mobility & parking (Jun 2003 - Jul 2012)

Rosalyn J. Truitt
City of Savannah, director development housing authority

Taffanye Young -  2nd Vice President Savannah NFBPA
City of Savannah, chief community & economic development(2012)
City of Savannah, director community planning & development (2000)
City of Savannah, director community Services (1994)
City of Savannah, coordinator neighborhood services (1993)

Allynne Tosca Owens
City of Savannah, economic development

Arneja Riley
City of Savannah, Certification Technician, Economic Development
Minority/Women Business Enterprises (MWBE) Coordinator (CC)

Rochelle Small-Toney
City of Savannah, city manager  (terminated sep 2012)
City of Savannah, city manager acting
City of Savannah, city manager interim
City of Savannah, public development bureau chief
Metropolitan Planning Commission

Israel G. Small
City of Savannah, assistant city manager retired

Randall Toussaint
manager, Savannah Development & Renewal Authority
City of Savannah, housing development

Undine Truedell
City of Savannah, manager project coordinator

Margaret VJ Williams
City of Savannah, chief of staff  (Nov 2006 - present)

Charles G. Middleton
City of Savannah, fire chief

Otis S. Johnson, mayor

Van Johnson, city council

Shawana Jennings
City of Savannnah, Buyer (Apr 2006 -   )


Juanita Simmons
City of Savannah, administrator property maintenance (2006 – 2009)


Dyanne Reese
City of Savannah, clerk of council (1985 - present)

City of Savannah, assistant Clerk of Council (1976 - 1985)
Senior Pastor of Family Nation Church International in Savannah Georgia


Gena P. Taylor
Youth Futures Authority Legislative Committee
Greenbriar executive director 

Latisha Thomas
City of Savannah, Management Fellow
City of Savannah, coordinator management services
City of Savannah, Assistant Revenue Director






***** National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA) *****

The mission of the NFBPA is embodied in the organization's commitment to strengthen the position of Blacks within the field of public administration; to increase the number of Blacks appointed to executive positions in public service organizations; and, to groom and prepare younger, aspiring administrators for senior public management posts in the years ahead.

The NFBPA mission is realized through the pursuit of the following important goals:

To serve the magnet organization for linking public, private and academic institutions into an effective network to support interdisciplinary communications, management innovation and professional development among Blacks choosing public service careers.

To provide intensive and rigorous training in critical management areas in response to the specialized needs of Black public sector professionals.

To identify and groom younger, emerging Black administrators and provide relevant exposure to the challenges and rewards of public service careers.

To conduct research on selected social and economic issues endemic to Blacks.

To sponsor and conduct national and regional forums that enable the discussion of timely issues and topical concerns of the Black community.

To develop and maintain a national information bank on the nation's growing Black public administrative leadership.

To promote, strengthen and expand the roles of Blacks in all aspects of public administration.

25 February 2011

NFBPA and local govts

NFBPA 7th annual FORUM (April 16-20 2011) conference city is Chicago this year. And the summer meeting is held in Washington, DC together with annual leadership awards dinner. The NFBPA fall leadership meeting for Oct 15-16, 2010 was held at The Fairmont San Jose Hotel San Jose, CA

Expenses for FORUM, leadership awards dinner, training, lodging, and conferences could tally over $6,000 a crack.

History proves the connection to NFBPA began in Savannah/Chatham/Liberty/Hinesville area ca. 2006, and has shown progressive expansion to include over 320 members to date.

Annual dues are now at $210 a year for an individual. Not to mention the local forums that have an unknown cost.

Let's add that up. Suppose all 320 members work for Savannah govts?
That would be,
$67,200 a year just in dues, paid by the city/county to NFBPA. Does the city list this expense as a "long term committment" Just wonderin.

What municipal purpose does paying NFBPA serve? Dunno. Anyway.

Let's say they all went to the spring forum and fall leadership awards conferences.
$1,920,000, yep one million nine hundred and twenty thousand.

(note for perkins; uhh... the monetary turn there could have been over-corrected  -- accidentally . . . on purpose)

You read that right!

So, the realistic version is this;

An additional burden is placed on Savannah taxpayers by the election, appointment, hiring, promotion and continuous employment of members that belong to the National Forum for Black Public Administrators(NFBPA).

And based on the above figures, the election, appointment, hiring, promotion and continuous employment for individuals who are not black, saves the city about $ 1,987,200  a year.

Astronomical expenses have never been paid out for employees that are not black to attend these types of things in celebration of the color of their skin. And, this may be indicative of the shortfall that happened since 2006 (under Brown's watch) and continues to accrue today.



BTW  one doesn't chew gum.. the way one chews beef jerky!


***** National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA) *****

The mission of the NFBPA is embodied in the organization's commitment to strengthen the position of Blacks within the field of public administration; to increase the number of Blacks appointed to executive positions in public service organizations; and, to groom and prepare younger, aspiring administrators for senior public management posts in the years ahead.

The NFBPA mission is realized through the pursuit of the following important goals:

To serve the magnet organization for linking public, private and academic institutions into an effective network to support interdisciplinary communications, management innovation and professional development among Blacks choosing public service careers.

To provide intensive and rigorous training in critical management areas in response to the specialized needs of Black public sector professionals.

To identify and groom younger, emerging Black administrators and provide relevant exposure to the challenges and rewards of public service careers.

To conduct research on selected social and economic issues endemic to Blacks.

To sponsor and conduct national and regional forums that enable the discussion of timely issues and topical concerns of the Black community.

To develop and maintain a national information bank on the nation's growing Black public administrative leadership.

To promote, strengthen and expand the roles of Blacks in all aspects of public administration.

24 February 2011

NFBPA 08' cost city $ 18, 825.87

Savannah's stand-in city manager Rochelle Small-Toney is a graduate of the NFBPA Executive Leadership Institute and was elected to the national board of directors of the NFBPA in April 2010. 
source: http://savannahherald.net/prince-hall-mba-hosts-the-warren-jones-jr-gala-affair-p609-1.htm

This is an idea of what expenses would be for NFBPA national board director activites in 2008.  The total equals $ 18, 825.87 for the year of 2008, outrageous!

Seems if they would have hired anyone but a black, they would have saved over eighteen thousand dollars that year.  In Savannah, that would have helped pay for one laid-off hourly worker's yearly salary or a month and a week's salary for Rochelle Small-Toney who makes over $15k a month. And, with the number of NBPA members working for the city well, you do the math, is it no wonder the city is broke??

This info from the PLAINFIELD, NJ  MUNICIPAL UTILITIES AUTHORITY
Perhaps someone "accidently" uploaded this info online? Anyway,
below are things the authority paid for Carol Ann Brokaw



02/27/08
THE PEABODY LITTLE ROCK
4,812.34
HOTEL RESERVATION 2008 NFBPA FORUM

03/13/08
CONTINENTAL AIRLINE
2,023.90
AIRFARE FOR NFBPA MEETINGS

03/20/08
NFBPA
4,700.00
REGISTRATION FEE 2008 FORUM

04/02/08
CONTINENTAL AIRLINE
4,245.80
AIRFARE FOR NFBPA, WASTE EXPO

04/02/08
NFBPA
470.00
REGISTRATION FEE 2008 FORUM

04/02/08
NFBPA
225.00
ANNIVERSARY FUND

04/17/08
GLOBAL VIP TRAVEL
1,168.00
AIRLINE TICKETS FOR NFBPA

04/10/08
NFBPA
620.00
REGISTRATION FEE

05/20/08
THE HERZ CORPORATION
370.83
CAR RENTAL NFBPA FORUM 2008

07/09/08
NFBPA
190.00
ANNUAL LEADERSHIP AWARDS BANQUET


Please note the highlighted NFBPA in this link .

Apparently, there is much more to the story as found here http://www.dumppmua.com/trips-trips-trips.html


***** National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA) *****

The mission of the NFBPA is embodied in the organization's commitment to strengthen the position of Blacks within the field of public administration; to increase the number of Blacks appointed to executive positions in public service organizations; and, to groom and prepare younger, aspiring administrators for senior public management posts in the years ahead.

The NFBPA mission is realized through the pursuit of the following important goals:

To serve the magnet organization for linking public, private and academic institutions into an effective network to support interdisciplinary communications, management innovation and professional development among Blacks choosing public service careers.

To provide intensive and rigorous training in critical management areas in response to the specialized needs of Black public sector professionals.

To identify and groom younger, emerging Black administrators and provide relevant exposure to the challenges and rewards of public service careers.

To conduct research on selected social and economic issues endemic to Blacks.

To sponsor and conduct national and regional forums that enable the discussion of timely issues and topical concerns of the Black community.

To develop and maintain a national information bank on the nation's growing Black public administrative leadership.

To promote, strengthen and expand the roles of Blacks in all aspects of public administration.

14 February 2011

Rochelle Small-Toney

 update Sep 18, 2012

A little info on the person who gets paid almost $16,000 a month to run the city of Savannah - temporarily. The stand-in, city manager. (update Mar 2011: appointed City Manager).

Rochelle Denise Small-Toney resigned from assistant city manager in Charlottesville, Va and later was hired to fill a vacancy left at the city of Savannah by the retirement of Israel Small.

According to this article from Charlottesville, Toney misled the public up until her resignation.

http://super-blair.blogspot.com/2007/05/asst-city-manager-small-toney-resigns.html

Prior to those positions Toney was assistant city manager of Danville, Va.

Toney began with the city of Savannah on July 9, 2007 for an annual salary of $137,000, as chief of the Public Development Bureau.   By the first quarter of 2010 Toney's salary increased  to $173,000.  When Toney became a stand-in city manager,  city council gave her  raise, which put her current annual salary at $190, 575. (update 2012 - $195,000 )

Toney grew up in Wilmington, NC,  with her parents, Shirley A. and John B. Small Jr., and her younger sister, Rosalind.

Toney is a 1974 graduate of Hoggard High School in Wilmington, NC and is a graduate of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA) Executive Leadership Institute (ELI) and was elected to the nationwide board of directors of the NFBPA in April 2010. Toney belongs to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, and she sits on the Board of Directors of BRAVO Music Company, Inc.

Toney is married to Leroy Toney, Sr., the mother of two children, Rosalind and Leroy Jr., and the grandmother of Isaiah and Josiah Toney.

http://savannahherald.net/prince-hall-mba-hosts-the-warren-jones-jr-gala-affair-p609-1.htm

Below is a disturbing excerpt from a SMNews Article, Toney is the one who brings up the issue of race, Toney's entire dialogue is race based from the beginning.


May 31, 2010 - 7:08am | Updated: February 3, 2011 - 3:14pm:

Waters is confident Small-Toney, 53, can handle the city manager job in Savannah.

Terry Enoch, a major with the Chatham County Sheriff's Department. At a new member induction for the 100 Black Men on Thursday (5-27-2010) night, where Small-Toney spoke, Enoch introduced her as the city's first black city manager


note: Small-Toney became city manager Mar 2011, NOT May 2010

Small-Toney is surprised, she said, at how quickly the issue of race asserted itself in the search for city manager.

If she were named permanently, she would be the first black city manager in the city's history. Some see that as an opportunity. Others see that as one more powerful position being filled by a minority. It shouldn't matter, but it's invariably part of the discussion.
 
"I am who I am. I am African-American, I am female, I am competent. I am a lot of things. It's sad in a way that the discussion had tilted toward race. So what does that say about Savannah? How diverse have we become in this city?"

The support she is getting from other employees helps her cope with the issue of race versus ability, she said.

"I can look beyond those innuendos because the people who matter are coming forward and saying, "Good job - we're confident in you," she said,


 "And they don't all look like me, either." 



--------- below - update  Sep 18, 2012 ---------

2012 - City Manager Rochelle Small-Toney asked to resign by mayor
http://savannahnow.com/news/2012-09-26/savannah-city-manager-rochelle-small-toney-asked-resign-mayor

2012 -

2012 - Mayor and Council do nothing to remove Small-Toney
Instead, city manager was only verbally reprimanded .
http://www.wtoc.com/story/19432561/savannah-city-council-reprimands-city-manager

2012 - Small-Toney LIED in Official Statement (video)

2012 - Small-Toney gives Official Statement about travel expenses.
Admits she needs to keep better track of receipts. 

2012 - Small-Toney violates travel expense policy
Expenses turned in five months late, includes handwritten IOU.

2011 - Small-Toney budgets $40,000 office renovation
Council members not aware of this allocation.
http://savannahnow.com/news/2011-06-21/city-manager-budgets-40000-renovations

2011 - People upset over City Manager's reception
$7,500 price tag -- city just laid off workers.
http://www2.wsav.com/news/2011/may/05/hundreds-attend-meet-and-greet-savannah-city-manag-ar-1808039/

2011 - Small-Toney Director for BRAVO Music Company
http://mp1219.blogspot.com/2011/03/small-toney-and-bravo-music-co-inc.html 

2011 - Skewed process taints manager search
http://mp1219.blogspot.com/2011/02/real-facts-letter-savannah-morning-news.html 

2010 - Small-Toney Director Nationwide Board for NFBPA
http://mp1219.blogspot.com/2011/03/small-toney-nfbpa-national-level.html


 *    *    *

2007 - Small-Toney RESIGNS from Asst City Manager Position
Small-Toney mislead the public. 

2007 - Savannah Director/Chief - Bureau of Public Development
(Assistant City Manager)  2007-2010
http://www.savannahga.gov/cityweb/SavannahGaGOV.nsf/a1cb1c03a5c4f7a9852572a000740182/b1f86078c9ec0a8c8525732c006c8df4?OpenDocument

2010 - Savannah Interim/Acting/Stand-in - City Manager Effective May 3, 2010
http://savannahnow.com/news/2010-05-31/rochelle-small-toney-ready-make-interim-city-manager-job-permanent

2011 - Savannah - City Manager Effective March 2011
http://savannahnow.com/news/2011-03-24/rochelle-small-toney-becomes-savannahs-city-manager

12 February 2011

Skewed process taints manager search

Published Saturday, Feb.12, 2011  http://savannahnow.com/opinion/2011-02-12/letters-editor-sunday - the Headline says Sunday but it is really Saturday. 


Letters to the editor Sunday

Posted: February 12, 2011 - 12:18am  |  Updated: February 12, 2011 - 11:12am

Skewed process taints manager search

By Thomas M. Daniels III

Among its many nonprofit functions to improve U.S. local governments and the professionalism of city and county managers, the International City & County Management Association (ICMA) conducts a multitude of surveys. Its most recent State of the Profession Survey was done in 2009 and sent to all 7,237 city governments with a population of at least 2,500 and to 1,311 county governments.

A total of 2,214 (26 percent) of city and county managers completed the survey and 1,998 (23 percent of those surveyed) answered the question as to their race. Of those 1,900 (95.1 percent) were white, 51 (2.6 percent) were black, and 47 (2.4 percent) were of other races.

It follows that the racial breakdown of the search universe for our city manager should have closely mirrored those statistics. Applying those percentages to the pool of 86 Affion candidates interested in the Savannah vacancy, it should have approximated 82 whites, two blacks, and two of other races.

By extension, the eight resumes selected by Affion for review by our city council should have been roughly 7.6 whites, 0.2 blacks, and 0.2 other. However, the search firm presented six blacks, two whites, and zero others. Quite obviously, Affion received instructions from the city to deliver an overwhelmingly black slate of candidates. Otherwise, the odds of such an outcome are extremely remote if not impossible.

When Mayor Otis Johnson was elected many whites voted for him instead of the white candidates, Dicky Mopper or Frank Rossiter. But since the deck was stacked in favor of blacks in this hiring decision, Otis and company have undermined the ability of black candidates to garner white support in the next election.

Worse yet, as highly educated people and public officials, they're setting very bad examples for young enlightened blacks who rely strictly on merit and strong work ethics. Rather than burying affirmative action, reverse discrimination against whites, and racial cronyism, the bad examples are promoting it.

Equally disturbing is the handling of Acting City Manager Rochelle Small-Toney's bonding problem. As interim city manager, it's her responsibility to ensure city employees are in compliance with the city charter, ordinances, etc. If indeed she didn't know about the bond requirement, she's incompetent. But given her 20 years in city management with the last three in Savannah, most likely she knew and didn't comply, which is malfeasance. Instead of terminating her, or so much as disqualifying her as a candidate for city manager, Otis circled the wagons to protect her and, incredibly, not one alderperson objected.

On the Affion Public website, the closing line of our city manager search criteria reads:

"This individual must be able to adhere to the highest ethical and moral standards and be able to display transparency."

If the one hired actually lived up to those standards, he or she would be in a snake pit. Let's hope we can get past this sad chapter in Savannah history and base hiring decisions strictly on merit.

Mr. Daniels is a Savannah native, retired headhunter, and principal of the nonprofit Cambodia Corps, Inc.

10 February 2011

43 years Later / NFBPA

Why does Savannah need a National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA) in 2011?

Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming have no chapters of this racist group but Virginia and Georgia do.

Savannah created their group in 2006, some 43 years after discrimination was outlawed.  There are at least 18 department heads at the city who are black. UPDATE: 2012 (30+ dept heads)  There are actually more blacks working at the city than any other color/race.

Ii is clearly understood and recognized,  that there is absolutely no need for this group to be in existence in Savannah. As many public schools in Savannah reflect the inner city population and are 90 + % black.

And there are many more groups in Savannah just like NFBPA.  Only for blacks.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed major forms of discrimination including racial segregation. One major thing the Act did was end unequal application by facilities that served the general public. Why is there a problem today at Savannah's city hall then?

Why do blacks want to keep separating themselves into these groups?
Is it so they can say, so-and-so doesn't like me because I belong to XXX Black organization? Is it to keep a "trump" card handy?  

Everyone knows these organizations are racist due to the fact that the only reason for the organization is the color of one's skin. How can one in public office, belong to an organization based on skin color, and make fair decisions in public business?

Savannah and the world, need a watchdog group to reflect the change of modern times and to promote true equality in this 21st Century so we don't succumb to racial wars.